A half-duplex communication system is embodied in a push-to-talk cellular system such as a GPRS system. The system includes two or more terminals (1 A, 1 B, 1 C) one or more of which can operate in a hands-free mode. When in hands-free mode, a terminal (1 A) is offered the right-to-speak by a controller (11 A, 13 A, 15 A, 17 A) within the system without the need for a talk request from a user. This allows a hands-free user to participate safely in a communications session.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of controlling communication in a half-duplex communication system including a control device and at least two terminals for transmitting and receiving voice data in communication sessions, the method comprising the control device granting the right-to-speak to at least one of said terminals without action by a user of the at least one of said terminals when the terminal is in a half-duplex communication session, wherein the user of the at least one of said terminals need not operate the terminal by pushing a button on the terminal in order for the right-to-speak to be granted to the terminal.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing to said terminal an indication that the right-to-speak has been granted.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the indication is a visual indication.
4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the indication is an audible indication.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the right-to-speak is granted to said terminal by the control device for a limited period of time and is removed after expiry of said limited period of time in the absence of voice data from said terminal.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one terminal includes a hands-free mode, the right-to-speak being granted by the control device without user action when the terminal is in hands-free mode.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said at least one terminal sends a signal to said control device when the device is put into hands-free mode, the control device on receipt of said signal, granting said at least one terminal the right-to-speak without action by a user of the terminal.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the granting to said at least one terminal the right-to-speak switches said at least one terminal to a transmit mode.
9. A method according to claims 7 wherein said system includes two or more terminals having a hands-free mode, the control device receiving signals from said terminals when in hands-free mode and, when two or more said signals are received, granting the right-to speak to said terminals in succession.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the control device checks whether a terminal is transmitting voice data when the terminal has the right-to-speak and grants the right-to-speak to another terminal only if voice data is not being transmitted from said terminal.
11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the user of a terminal provides to the control device a signal indicating that the right-to-speak is not required, the control device on receipt of said signal granting the right-to-speak to another terminal.
12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the control device includes a priority list for right-to-speak rights for terminals communicating within the system, the control device granting the right-to-speak to said terminals in accordance with said list.
13. A method according to claim 6 wherein the control device receives requests for the right-to-speak from other terminals in the system, the control device checking whether said at least one terminal is communicating and granting the right-to-speak to one of said other terminals only if said at least one terminal is not transmitting voice data.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the communication system is a push-to-talk over cellular system.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the communication system is a GPRS system.
16. A method of controlling communication in a half-duplex communication system including a control device and at least two terminals for transmitting and receiving voice data in communication sessions, the method comprising: granting the right-to-speak to at least one of said terminals for a limited period of time; and removing the granted right-to-speak after expiry of said limited period of time in the absence of voice data from said terminal, wherein a user of the at least one of said terminals need not operate the terminal by pushing a button on the terminal in order for the right-to-speak to be granted to the at least one of said terminals.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the right-to-speak is granted to said terminal by the control device without action by a user of the terminal.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 17, 2005
May 1, 2012
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